ABBOTSFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

INTEGRITY • HONOUR • COURAGE • SERVICE

THE MISSION: To make Abbotsford the safest City in BC

APD: MESSAGES

and governance of the Abbotsford Police Department to ensure measurable progress towards a safer community. As Board Chair, I feel very privileged to be working alongside the Abbotsford Police Department, Chief Constable Bob Rich and all of the Abbotsford Police Board members. I have seen first-hand the incredible commitment of the members of our Police Department as well as their in-depth knowledge of the

On behalf of the Abbotsford Police Board, I am pleased to present the Abbotsford Police Department’s 2015 Annual Report to the residents of Abbotsford. This report highlights the focus and accomplishments of the APD over the past year and outlines our objectives for 2016.

The Abbotsford Police Board serves to provide independent civilian oversight

needs of our community and the issues it faces regarding crime prevention and safety. Our police force – sworn officers and civilian staff – work hard every day to tackle crime and to create a safe community. And they do so with integrity, compassion, a strong sense of purpose and a drive for constant improvement.

I would also like to thank the members

of the Abbotsford Police Board for their continued commitment to the residents of Abbotsford and for their direction as we move into 2016. I look forward to working with Board members again this year in providing support and oversight as our dedicated Police Department works to make Abbotsford the safest city in BC, while providing accountable police service that is deserving of respect throughout our community.

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

KAREN MATTYYVON DANDURAND MIKE McWHINNEY SUKH SIDHU AMANINDER GILL BARB SCHIMNOWSKY

MAYOR HENRY BRAUN

2015 presented several challenges for the men and women of the APD. Our job is to make the community safe. Simple to say; but sometimes very hard to do. Gang violence and property crime both substantially increased last year. We have had to devote resources to both to suppress the violence and find a way to reduce the level of property crime. Unfortunately, both problems revolve around illicit drugs. Our gang violence occurs as rival gangs fight for market share as they traffic in drugs. The primary reason someone breaks into a house or steals a car is to get money to

buy drugs to feed their habit. This past year heroin and fentanyl have become much more available on the street and have sadly led to many overdose deaths.

All of the above means that the focus in 2016 is for us to find a way to end this round of gang violence and reduce property crime. Abbotsford is a wonderful community full of caring people. We will continue to work with our partners so Abbotsford is a place where our seniors are safe, our families can thrive and our children flourish.

MESSAGE FROM CHIEF CONSTABLE BOB RICH

Fraser Valley East jurisdictions including Abbotsford experienced an increase in property crime rates in 2014 and this trend continued through 2015. Property crime offenders travelling across jurisdictional boundaries to commit crimes presented an additional challenge to police. 

Internally, APD sought to improve the organization’s wellness and be more strategic in using resources.  To remain cost effective, new methods of delivering service to the community were developed by considering

what functions could be reduced or shared with other service providers.

To reduce overall police resourcing in handling calls for service involving the mentally ill, the department committed a full time APD member to the Fraser Health ACT Team (Assertive Community Health team).

For 2016 APD finds itself aggressively recruiting the next generation of Police Officers.

After a twenty-six year career with the Vancouver Police Department I was proud to join the Abbotsford Police Department in November 2015. As the Deputy Chief of the Administration Division I identified several priorities to address. First, policing is a challenging and stressful occupation and the wellness of all APD staff has been identified as an organizational priority. Strategies have been initiated to support our staff’s mental and physical wellbeing. Second, we need to remain fiscally responsible, while at the same time not

compromising our service to the community. We also need to consider options for a new police building. We understand this is a long term initiative; however, it is important to start planning now. Finally, the APD currently has several police vacancies and we are committed to hiring dynamic women and men who will bring energy and commitment to our team.

MESSAGE FROM DEPUTY CHIEF DAVE SCHMIRLER

MESSAGE FROM DEPUTY CHIEF MIKE SERR

Join our team!If you are interested in joining a progressive organization that is consistently open to change and development, consider becoming a member of our team. We are proud to be one of Canada’s policing leaders. Maybe the APD is where you should be?

2015 KEY EVENTS

FEBRUARY: A 20 year old man arrested and charged for a fatal stabbing.

MARCH: Shots fired at a residence linked to the Townline Hill conflict.

MAY: A 31 year old man arrested for second-degree murder.

JUNE: A 39 year old man is arrested after striking three pedestrians with his vehicle and fleeing the scene.

SEPTEMBER: A 74 year old man killed as a result of a stray bullet coming from a targeting shooting at a nearby residence.

JULY: A 21 year old man arrested after a series of pellet gun attacks against random citizens.

AUGUST: A 23 year old man shot and received non-life threatening injuries.

For more info:abbypd.ca/careers

OCTOBER: A 20 year old man and a 45 year old man arrested in connection to a series of Break and Enters occurring in the Townline Hill area.

NOVEMBER: Three men arrested on drug trafficking charges linked to the Townline Hill conflict.

DECEMBER: A 57 year old man commits a crime spree using a gun and is arrested within minutes.

POLICE OFFICER RECRUITING

DWD-DWI POSTER CAMPAIGN

APD: HOW ARE WE MAKING ABBOTSFORD SAFE

INTEGRITYHONOUR COURAGE SERVICE

ABBOTSFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT

2015 BUDGET CHANGES• Staffing remained the same.

• $986,000 Budget Increase

The Abbotsford Police Department is comprised of

212 Police Officers, 118 Civilian Staff

and 182 Volunteers.

STREET SAFETY AND PUBLIC DISORDER TARGETS• Implement the Assertive Community Treatment Team• Advocate for young people in crisis• Partner with the City on implementing the Homeless

Strategy

RESULTS• Assertive Community Treatment Team implemented and

running • SMART program implemented to advocate for young

people in crisis• APD liaising with the City as they implement the Homeless

Strategy

PROPERTY CRIMETARGETS• Reduce property crime by 10%

RESULTS• 21.3% increase in property crime

ROAD SAFETYTARGETS• Reduce injury crashes by 10%• Increase proactive road safety within patrol• Public education programs

RESULTS• 25.4% increase in injury crashes• Patrol officers participating in targeted proactive

enforcement • Various social media public education campaigns

SUPPRESS GANG CRIMETARGETS• No gang / drug homicides • Targeting of Top Risks to Public Safety• Disrupt dial-a-dope distribution

RESULTS• 2 gang / drug homicides • Though covert and overt enforcement, the various branches

of the APD targeted the identified top risks to public safety.• Various dial-a-dope lines targeted throughout the year

2015POLICE OPERATIONS:

Salaries: $36,302,000

Non-salary expenses/vehicle expenses: $5,737,000

Training: $501,000

2015VIOLENT CRIME:

2014 Violent Crime Reports: 1301

2015 ViolentCrime Reports: 1494

14.8% INCREASE

2015PROPERTY CRIME:

2014 Property Crime Reports: 5499

2015 Property Crime Reports: 6673

21.3% INCREASE

2015 TARGETS/RESULTS

2015 BUDGET

Abbotsford Police officers receive Awards of Valour

APD: GOING FORWARD

2015

2014

2013

SUPPRESS GANG VIOLENCEOur Drug & Gang Suppression Unit will focus of targeting

the Top Risks to Public Safety disrupting their drug and

gang lifestyles. Our goal is to suppress gang related

incidents involving shots fired and assaults by 50%.

REDUCE PROPERTY CRIMEAlthough property crime has increased over the past two

years, by focusing on prolific and repeat offenders, we

will try to reduce the upward trend by June and for the

remainder of the year attempt to see a reduction of 10%.

FOSTER EMPLOYEE WELLNESSThe people who work to keep our community safe matter

to the APD. Over 2016, our goal is to implement a

consensus built employee wellness program.

2016 TARGETS

OVERALL CRIMEAlthough crime has increased, Abbotsford continues to have one of the lowest crime rates.

* Stats taken from PRIME BC and are subject to rescoring

The APD will continue to deal with the ongoing conflict and threat to public safety as a top priority. We are asking you to be a part of the solution. Report gang activity to Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 or the APD Tip Line at 604-864-4777. Be a part of the public consultation at community Forums. Spend quality time with your children. Become involved in your child’s life.

HELP US REDUCE GANG VIOLENCE

69.3

60.8

57.6

129.5

116.2

113.0

104.3

100.6

88.6

92.8

93.8

85.1

ABBOTSFORD

SURREYLANGLEY

CHILLIWACK

138.6

110.1

107.3

MISSION

99.9

90.3

86.3

RIDGE MEADOWS

Club Give Away

APD sends Christmas cards to people making bad choices and involved in the criminal lifestyle.

APD: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

INTEGRITYHONOUR COURAGE SERVICE

ABBOTSFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT

Reducing crime and making Abbotsford safe only happens when the community and the police work together. Crime has increased this past two years and we want to turn that around.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

PLEASE WORK WITH US BY

1 REMOVING VALUABLES FROM YOUR CAR People will break into a car for loose change.

2 USE AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE LIKE A “CLUB” on your older model vehicle.

3 PHONE 911 if you think something suspicious is happening and there may be a crime in progress.

4 WATCH OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBOURS We are a community and we look after each other.

ABBOTSFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT 2838 Justice Way, Abbotsford, BC V2T 3P5PHONE: 604.859.5225TEXT: ABBYPD (222973)

COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICE105 - 34194 Marshall Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 5E4PHONE: 604.864.4814

abbypd.ca

CONTACT US

Junior Police Academy

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POSTER CAMPAIGN

Please help us reduce the number of thefts from vehicles. Tips for vehicle owners:

• Use an anti-theft device like a “club”

• Remove valuables from your car like loose change

• Park your vehicle in a well-lit area

• Check your vehicle’s doors to ensure they are locked

ARE YOU AWARE THEFTS FROM VEHICLES ARE OCCURRING DAILY IN ABBOTSFORD?

• Child ID• Citizens Patrol• CPO Office

• Cell Watch• Speed Watch• Lock Out Auto Crime

• Special Events Team• Reserve Constable Program• Victim Services

WAYS TO VOLUNTEER

OPERATION REVEAL’UTION

The Abbotsford Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit has launched an important video on the topic of violence in relationships called “Reveal’ution”. The film was created and produced by FireCanvas Productions and features amazing actors from the W.J. Mouat Secondary School drama class. With the full support of the Abbotsford School District, the Domestic Violence Unit of the APD will be using the film as discussion points for students in grades 10-12 in schools throughout Abbotsford as a way to increase awareness of relationship violence and to encourage youth to seek help if they witness or experience it. The Abbotsford Police Department and the APD Domestic Violence Unit are encouraging all citizens to join us in our effort to end relationship violence.